Device for taking a biological or cytological smear

ABSTRACT

A device for taking a sample from the human or animal body comprising a casing tube ( 2 ) in which there is longitudinally movably arranged a swab carrier ( 1 ) whose distal end is provided with a swab ( 4 ), and a displacement device ( 3 ) which is arranged at the proximal end of the device and by the actuation of which the swab ( 4 ) can be extended from the casing tube ( 2 ) or completely retracted thereinto, wherein the swab carrier ( 1 ) comprises at least a distal carrier portion ( 10 ) and a tubular proximal carrier portion ( 11 ), which are releasably connected together by way of a coupling portion ( 12 ) which is introduced into the proximal carrier portion ( 11 ) and which extends in the distal direction into a first opening ( 13 ) at the proximal end of the distal carrier portion ( 10 ), and wherein the coupling portion ( 12 ) locks the carrier portions relative to each in their longitudinal direction in such a way that the connection thereof is releasable by pulling the distal end of the coupling portion ( 12 ) in the proximal direction out of the opening ( 13 ).

The invention concerns a device as set forth in the classifying portionof claim 1.

BACKGROUND OF THE ART

Numerous inflammations in the human or animal urogenital tract are to beattributed to a large number of widely varying germs or microbes. Thusfor example the etiology of Fallopian tube inflammation (salpingitis) ispolymicrobial. Aerobic and anaerobic germs, mycoplasmas and chlamydiaecan be identified in that respect. That identification can be achievedon the one hand from the Douglas fluid surrounding the Fallopian tubesor by smears from the Fallopian tubes. Particularly for intracellularlygrowing chlamydiae proof based on cell-rich examination material hasproven to be an indispensable prerequisite as the Douglas fluid has alow cell content and in addition has an anti-microbial effect. For thatreason the smear is also to be preferred for other bacteriaidentification procedures.

A number of devices of the general kind indicated is known for takingbiological or cytological smears of that kind. Such devices aregenerally usable a plurality of times insofar as a fresh swab is fixedon the swab carrier for each new smear. To take a smear on the Fallopiantube the devices are generally moved to the Fallopian tube through atrocar. For smears at other locations which are more readily accessiblein the urogenital tract the use of a trocar however may possibly beunnecessary.

Thus for example U.S. Pat. No. 5,295,952 discloses such a device inwhich the two carrier portions are connected together by way of apositively locking connection which locks in the longitudinal directionof the swab carrier. Locking transversely with respect to thelongitudinal direction of the swab carrier is effected by way of atubular coupling portion which is fitted over the two carrier portions.

The known devices however suffer from a large number of disadvantages.Thus on the one hand they are distinguished by virtue of being of arelatively complicated structure which is susceptible to trouble. Thusfor example securely and releasably fixing the swabs on the swab carriercan be achieved, not only having regard to the tightly constrictedspatial conditions, only with a very high degree of structuralcomplication and expenditure which on the one hand has an adverse effecton the manufacturing costs of the individual components.

In addition, this design configuration also involves the disadvantagethat the swab has to be released from the swab carrier after the smearhas been taken. That operation of releasing the swab from the swabcarrier is generally possible however only by means of suitable aids ortools, the use of which however under some circumstances can entailcontamination of the swab. Contamination of that kind however, even in avery small amount, can seriously falsify the examination result.

The swab with the smear generally has to be initially stored in atransportation fluid for subsequent evaluation in the laboratory.Depending on the respective duration of the period of time between theoperation of taking the sample and evaluation thereof, even very slightcontamination can result in damage to or impairment of the smear on theswab or however also the transportation fluid and can thus result infalsification of the examination result.

A further disadvantage lies in the relatively expensive and complicatedcleaning and sterilization of the multiply re-usable components of theknown devices. Contamination which is not removed, precisely atlocations which involve difficulties of access within the mechanism ofthe devices and the thermally or chemically induced component stresseswhich occur in the cleaning and sterilization procedure can also have anadverse effect on the susceptibility to trouble of the devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is therefore that of providing a device ofthe kind set forth in the opening part of this specification, which issimple and inexpensive to produce and which does not suffer from theabove-indicated disadvantages or which involves them only to a lesserdegree and which in particular ensures examination results which are asunfalsified as possible.

Based on a device as set forth in the classifying portion of claim 1,that object is attained by the features recited in the characterizingportion of claim 1.

The invention entails the technical teaching that a device which isparticularly simple and inexpensive to produce and which is reliable inoperation and which ensures examination results which are as unfalsifiedas possible is achieved if the swab carrier comprises at least a distalcarrier portion and a tubular proximal carrier portion, which arereleasably connected together by way of a coupling portion which isintroduced into the proximal carrier portion and which to release theconnection between the two carrier portions is pulled in the proximaldirection out of its seat in the distal carrier portion.

In that arrangement the coupling portion extends in a distal directioninto a first axial opening at the proximal end of the distal carrierportion and locks the carrier portions relative to each in theirlongitudinal direction in such a way that the connection thereof isreleasable by pulling the distal end of the coupling portion in theproximal direction out of the first axial opening. In that arrangementthe coupling portion still extends in the proximal direction through theactuating grip so that it can be gripped at its proximal end and can bepulled in the proximal direction out of its seat in the distal carrierportion.

It will be appreciated that the movement of pulling the coupling portionout in the proximal direction does not have to involve a puretranslatory movement. It is likewise possible for a translatory movementto be combined with a rotational movement about the longitudinal axis ofthe coupling portion, for that purpose. That may be desired or evennecessary in particular when the coupling portion is locked in positionin positively locking relationship.

By virtue of the connection between the carrier portions being simple torelease, the distal carrier portion with the swab disposed thereon canbe detached, after the smear has been taken, without that involvingtouching those regions which are to be separated from each other,possibly by means of special tools or the like, which could result incontamination. The distal carrier portion which is to be removed, withthe swab carrying the smear, only has to be positioned over orintroduced into the opening of the transportation vessel filled with thetransportation fluid. The coupling portion is then gripped at itsproximal end and pulled relative to the swap carrier in the proximaldirection until it is released from its seat in the first opening in thedistal carrier portion. In that way the distal carrier portion isreleased from the proximal carrier portion and can slide into thetransportation vessel filled with transportation fluid, without cominginto contact with other objects when that happens.

The operation of removing the distal carrier portion with the swab canbe carried out quickly and in an uncomplicated fashion in no time atall. The removal operation can be carried out in any longitudinalposition of the swab carrier. Preferably however it is effected in thefirst longitudinal position of the swab carrier as the swab with thesmear is then disposed in the interior of the casing tube and is thussubstantially protected from unintended contamination.

Preferably that longitudinal position is characterized by a resistancewhich is perceptible for the operator when actuating the displacementdevice. Further preferably that resistance is afforded by an endabutment which is provided in the displacement device or between thecasing tube and the swab carrier and beyond which no further actuationof the displacement device is possible.

The swab carrier is preferably in the form of a one-trip or disposableportion. That ensures that the device is of a particularly simplestructure which is inexpensive to produce and which operates reliably,as for example no fixing devices which are of a complicated structureand which are to be used a plurality of times are required for the swaband the carrier portions respectively.

Preferably the entire device is designed for single use. It will beappreciated that this eliminates the expensive procedure for cleaningand sterilizing the device after the smear has been taken. It is howeveralso possible for only the distal carrier portion with the swab andpossibly also the casing tube or parts thereof to be constructed asone-trip or disposable components, while the rest of the device with thedisplacement device is designed for multiple use.

In preferred embodiments of the device according to the invention thecoupling portion has at least one distal locking part and at least oneproximal locking part. In that arrangement the distal locking partco-operates lockingly and releasably in the distal direction with afirst wall part of the distal carrier portion. The proximal locking partco-operates lockingly and also releasably in the proximal direction witha second wall part of the proximal carrier portion or the actuatinggrip. As a result, the distal carrier portion is locked in the distaldirection and the proximal carrier portion or the actuating gripconnected thereto is locked in the proximal direction, to the couplingportion, whereby the two mutually adjoining carrier portions are fixedrelative to each in a simple fashion.

The releasable connection between the respective locking part and therespective carrier portion can be designed in known manner in the formof a releasable positively locking connection. For that purpose forexample one or more detent elements which are resilient transverselywith respect to the longitudinal direction and which are respectivelyarranged on the one component can engage into corresponding undercutconfigurations in the other component. In that case, the resilientdetent elements can be arranged both on the coupling portion and also onthe respective carrier portion or the actuating grip.

Preferably, the connection between the distal locking part and thedistal carrier portion or the connection between the proximal lockingpart and the proximal carrier portion or the actuating grip can bedesigned in the manner of a frictional locking connection which isreleasable in the axial direction of the coupling portion.

It will be appreciated however that, in other variants of the device,for the respective connection between the carrier portion and thecoupling portion, it is also possible to select a combination of apositively locking connection and a frictional locking connection forthe respective connection, or one of the connection can be formed by africtional locking connection and one of the connections can be formedby a positively locking connection. It will be appreciated also that thetwo connections can be made or afforded in different ways.

The preferred variant with the frictional locking connections isdistinguished in that the first and second wall parts can be of aparticularly simple nature, in particular without undercutconfigurations or the like. That considerably reduces the manufacturingexpenditure for the two carrier portions. Thus in the situation which iseasiest to manufacture the wall parts in question are of a substantiallycylindrical configuration.

Preferably in that arrangement to provide the releasable frictionallocking connection the respective locking part is of an oversize, atleast in a portion-wise manner, transversely with respect to itslongitudinal direction, in relation to the first and second wall partrespectively. Depending on the respective elasticity of the componentsto be paired, the oversize is such that on the one hand a sufficientlyfirm fit of the coupling portion in the respective component and thussufficiently reliable locking of the carrier portions relative to eachis guaranteed. On the other hand the oversize is such that the distalend of the coupling portion can still be pulled with the application ofa reasonable amount of force out of its seat in the first opening in thedistal carrier portion.

In other variants the oversize and thus the frictional engaging pairingis achieved by one or more spring elements which are resilienttransversely with respect to the longitudinal direction and which arerespectively arranged on the one component and which press by virtue oftheir biasing effect transversely with respect to the longitudinaldirection against corresponding friction surfaces on the componentcoupled thereto. The biasing effect with which the spring elements bearagainst the friction surfaces of the other component and therewith alsothe locking threshold or release force achieved can be relativelyaccurately determined by the dimensioning of the spring elements withoutin that respect having to observe particularly close dimensionaltolerances. That reduces the manufacturing expenditure for thecomponents in question.

In this case the spring elements can form at least a portion of therespective first and second wall parts respectively. The spring elementscan be arranged in other words on the respective carrier portion.Variants of the device according to the invention, which areparticularly simple to produce, are however distinguished in that thedistal or proximal locking part is of a resilient nature transverselywith respect to its longitudinal direction and bears with a biasingeffect against the respective wall part.

In a development of the invention which is desirable because it can beproduced at low cost the first and second wall parts are of asubstantially cylindrical configuration and the respective locking partis formed by a spiral-shaped part. In that case the spiral-shaped partis preferably formed by a suitably wound metal wire.

In further preferred developments of the device according to theinvention the proximal carrier portion, at its distal end, for receivingthe distal end of the coupling portion which is drawn out of the firstaxial opening, is of inside dimensions which substantially correspond tothe inside dimensions of the first axial opening. That ensures that,when the coupling portion is pulled out of its seat in the firstopening, a substantially constant pulling force is to be applied to thecoupling portion, during the entire release operation. That avoids jerkymovements which can arise when pulling out the coupling portion as aconsequence of a reduction in the pulling force required for pulling outthe coupling portion, which was not expected by the operator. That makesit easier to introduce the detached distal carrier portion with the swabcarrying the smear, into the transportation container.

It will be appreciated however that, in other variants of the invention,a drop in the pulling force to be applied can be achieved by theproximal carrier portion at its distal end for example being of aninside dimension which is sufficiently great for receiving,substantially free of resistance, the distal end of the couplingportion, which end is pulled out of the first axial opening. Likewise byvirtue of a suitable configuration of the coupling portion and theproximal carrier portion, it is possible to produce a rise in the forcerequired for pulling out the coupling portion as soon as the couplingportion is released from the distal carrier portion in order to signalthat condition to the operator.

Preferred variants of the device according to the invention aredistinguished in that, at its end which projects in the proximaldirection out of the actuating grip, the coupling portion has a gripdevice for pulling its distal end in a proximal direction out of thefirst axial opening. That permits the distal carrier portion with theswab to be quickly detached, without aids being required.

In accordance with a preferred development of the invention the devicehas at least one securing means to prevent the distal end of thecoupling portion from being unintentionally pulled out of the firstopening. The securing means can be designed in many known ways. Thus forexample the securing means can comprise a releasable clamping device orthe like which is arranged at the proximal end of the actuating grip inthe exit region of the coupling portion and which fixes the couplingportion relative to the actuating grip and therewith also relative tothe carrier portions of the swab carrier.

It is also possible to provide a releasable securing means which acts bypositively locking, for example a securing pin or the like, whichengages into suitable openings in the coupling portion and in theactuating grip.

Preferably the securing means is such that it is destroyed when thedistal end of the coupling portion is pulled out of the first axialopening. For that purpose it may for example comprise an adhesive pointconsisting of a plastic material which suitably hardens and which issufficiently firmly joined both to the material of the coupling portionand also the material of the component which in that region adjoins thecoupling portion. It is equally also possible for the securing means tobe in the form of a plastic diaphragm or the like which is shaped ormolded on the coupling portion and which is then clamped fast forexample in the seat of the proximal carrier portion in the actuatinggrip or which is fixed in some other fashion to those components.

These variants are distinguished by the securing means beingparticularly simple and thus inexpensive to produce. Such a securingmeans can be disposed at any locations of the coupling portion, forexample at the exit of the coupling portion from the actuating grip, butalso at the distal end of the proximal carrier portion or even in thefirst opening of the distal carrier portion.

In advantageous variants of the device according to the invention thesecuring means also forms the means for locking the coupling portion inthe distal carrier portion or in the proximal carrier portion or theactuating grip, thereby providing that the device is of a particularlysimple structure which is reliable in operation.

In other advantageous variants of the invention, it is provided that thecoupling portion and the carrier portions are such that the carrierportions are fixed by the coupling portion transversely with respect totheir longitudinal direction in a position of being substantiallyaligned in their longitudinal direction. That makes it unnecessary toprovide corresponding guide means on the carrier portions, which holdthe latter in their mutually aligned position.

In a further preferred embodiment of the device according to theinvention the difference between the inside dimensions of the casingtube and the outside dimensions of the swab carrier or the swab is suchthat the end region of the swab carrier which is disposed distally ofthe first structural weakening is released after separation thereof fromthe casing tube by virtue of the action of the force of gravity when thecasing tube is suitably inclined. That permits particularly simplehandling of the sample on the swab, after the smear has been taken. Itis sufficient in this case for example for the distal end of the deviceto be positioned perpendicularly above the opening of the filledtransportation vessel and for the distal carrier portion to be removedin the above-described manner. The carrier portion which has beenremoved and on which is disposed the swab with the smear is thenreleased from the casing tube as a result of the action of the force ofgravity, and slides into the transportation fluid. This varianttherefore also provides that the component of the device which carriesthe sample that is to be later analyzed passes into the transportationvessel without coming into contact with possible sources ofcontamination. Preferably, for that purpose, the inside dimensions ofthe casing tube in the distal end region have a slight oversize relativeto the outside dimensions of the distal carrier portion or the swab.

The dimensional difference can however also be such that, in addition tothe force of gravity, the action of weak inertia forces, for example dueto gentle shaking or the like, also provides for release from the casingtube.

A further advantage of the device according to the invention in thisrespect is that, in the event of the separated distal carrier portionsticking in the casing tube, the coupling portion can be displaced inthe distal direction again in order to release or push the distalcarrier portion out of the casing tube.

Preferably the length of the distal carrier portion is substantially atleast 1 cm, preferably at least 2 cm, and does not exceed an amount ofsubstantially 10 cm, preferably 5 cm. That ensures simple appropriatetransportation in transportation vessels which are in current use at thepresent time.

In advantageous developments of the invention the swab carrier, thecasing tube and the displacement device are so designed that the swabcarrier is rotatable about the longitudinal axis at least in its secondlongitudinal position relative to the casing tube. That ensures that asufficiently large amount of sample can be easily taken, by the swabbeing brought into contact with the part of the body to be examined, byrotation about the longitudinal axis of the swab, over preferably itsentire periphery. That is effected in accordance with the inventionwithout the casing tube having to be rotated for that purpose. It isprecisely in the case of a device which is inserted through a trocarthat such rotation of the casing tube, by virtue of the generallyrelatively firm fit of the casing tube in the jacket tube of the trocar,is relatively difficult or involves the application of an increasedamount of force, which once again could result in damage to the device.

The displacement device can be designed in many known ways. It is thusfor example possible for the actuating grip to be guided relative to thegrip element in known manner by means of a guide pin or the like whichis arranged for example on the actuating grip and which engages into acorresponding guide groove extending in the grip element. Then, when theswab carrier is in the second longitudinal position, the guide groovemust extend in the peripheral direction of the casing tube or swabcarrier so that corresponding rotation of the swab carrier relative tothe casing tube is possible.

Preferably in that case the swab carrier is rotatable relative to thecasing tube through at least substantially a full revolution in orderadvantageously to make use of the entire periphery of the swab fortaking the sample. It will be appreciated however that certainlysatisfactory results can also be achieved with a smaller angle of rotarymovement.

In the case of a variant which is particularly advantageous because itis simple to produce the actuating grip includes an advance device and arotating device which is fixedly connected to the proximal end of theswab carrier. The rotating device and/or the swab carrier is or arearranged on the advance device and is or are rotatable relative theretoabout the longitudinal axis. In that case for example the proximal endof the swab carrier can be supported rotatably in the advance device,wherein the swab carrier then projects in the longitudinal direction outof the advance device in the proximal direction. Arranged on the portionwhich projects out of the advance device there is then the rotatingdevice which for example can be formed by a wheel or the like which iscarried on the swab carrier or also only by a suitable grip surface onthe swab carrier. Preferably however for reasons of strength therotating device is supported rotatably on or in the advance device.

In further preferred embodiments of the invention the swab carrier orthe casing tube and/or the displacement device are designed in such away that the longitudinal mobility of the swab carrier relative to thecasing tube is limited by a proximal abutment device and a distalabutment device, to a longitudinal movement between its first and secondlongitudinal positions. That provides that the two extreme positions aremade clearly perceptible to the operator in a particularly simple andreliable fashion.

In this case, to form the proximal abutment device, a first abutmentsurface can be provided on the casing tube and a second abutment surfacearranged in distal relationship therewith can be provided on the swabcarrier or on the actuating grip. To form the distal abutment device, athird abutment surface is then also provided on the casing tube andprovided on the swab carrier or on the actuating grip is a fourthabutment surface arranged in proximal relationship therewith. In thatcase, the second abutment surface, when the first longitudinal positionof the swab carrier is reached, bears in a first contact region at leastin part against the first abutment surface which is in proximalrelationship therewith. In the opposite direction, the fourth abutmentsurface, when the second longitudinal position of the swab carrier isreached, bears in a second contact region at least in part against thethird abutment surface which is in distal relationship therewith. Thelines normal to the first and second abutment surfaces respectivelyextend over the first and second contact regions respectively inparallel relationship with the longitudinal direction. Thatconfiguration, by virtue of the orientation thereof, provides first andsecond abutment surfaces which can be produced in a simple fashion andwhich reliably limit the longitudinal movement of the swab carrierrelative to the casing tube. In this case, the second and fourthabutment surfaces can be of any desired shape, whereby the productionthereof can also be a very simple matter.

Preferably but not necessarily the first abutment surface is disposed inproximal relationship with the third abutment surface, as that thenpermits a particularly simple arrangement of the second and fourthabutment surfaces.

To provide the abutment devices, the arrangement may have a projectionwhich extends radially with respect to the longitudinal axis and whichis of a pin-like or nose-like configuration and which engages into agroove extending substantially in the longitudinal direction of thedevice. In that case the projection is provided at the inside peripheryof the casing tube and the groove is then provided in the swab carrier.When the first longitudinal position of the swab carrier is reached theprojection then bears against the distal end surface of the groove andwhen the second longitudinal position of the swab carrier is reached itbears against the proximal end surface of the groove.

Alternatively, the projection is provided at the outside periphery ofthe swab carrier and the groove extends on the inside of the casingtube. When the first longitudinal position of the swab carrier isreached the projection then bears against the proximal end surface ofthe groove and when the second longitudinal position of the swab carrieris reached it bears against the distal end surface of the groove.

Both variants are distinguished by being particularly simple tomanufacture and by virtue of their operative principle which is reliablein operation because it is a simple mechanical principle.

Preferably, the casing tube and the swab carrier are adapted to berotatable relative to each about the longitudinal axis, wherein thegroove, for locking of the swab carrier in its first and/or secondlongitudinal position, is designed in the manner of a bayonet lockingmeans at its proximal end and/or its distal end. That provides in aparticularly desirable fashion for locking of the swab carrier relativeto the casing tube, thereby ensuring simple and reliable handling of thedevice.

In other advantageous configurations of the device according to theinvention the displacement device is designed in the manner of a screwdrive which produces an advance movement in the longitudinal directionof the device, thereby affording a displacement mechanism which acts ina particularly simple and reliable fashion. Preferably in that case thecasing tube and the swab carrier are adapted to be rotatable relative toeach about the longitudinal axis. The displacement device includes afirst screwthread which is arranged on the casing tube and which, forproducing a longitudinal movement of the swab carrier relative to thecasing tube, upon rotation of the actuating grip relative to the casingtube about the longitudinal axis, co-operates with a second screwthreadprovided on the swab carrier or on the actuating grip, and thus producesa longitudinal movement of the swab carrier relative to the casing tube.

This variant is distinguished by variability, which is particularly hightogether with ease of manufacture, in terms of the displacementparameters. Thus, it is readily possible to set the advance movement ofthe swab carrier relative to the casing tube, which is produced perrevolution of the actuating grip, by a suitable choice of thescrewthread pitch. In addition, multi-flight screwthreads can beprovided to enhance the level of operating reliability.

There are a large number of different options in regard to thearrangement of the screwthreads. Thus, the first screwthread can bearranged in the form of a female screwthread on the casing tube while inthat case, as will be readily appreciated, the second screwthread mustbe in the form of a male screwthread for example on the swab carrier.Preferably however the first screwthread is arranged at the outsideperiphery of the proximal end of the casing tube and the actuating gripis designed in the manner of a screw cap, in which case the swab carrieris passed through an orifice in coaxial relationship therewith at thedistal end of the actuating grip and the second screwthread is arrangedat the distal end of the actuating grip at the inside periphery of theorifice. That then affords a robust arrangement which is particularlysimple to produce.

In particularly desirable variants of the invention, the pitch of thefirst and second screwthreads is so selected that the movement of theswab carrier from its first longitudinal position into its second one orvice-versa is implemented by substantially one revolution of theactuating grip relative to the casing tube. That affords a device whichis particularly simple to handle and in which the advance movement ofthe swab carrier relative to the casing tube can be rapidly implementedby means of a single handling operation, with good and simplecontrollability. Preferably in that case the first screwthread and thesecond counterpart screwthread are of a multi-flight nature. Thatprevents jamming of the screw drive in a simple and thus inexpensivemanner, this in turn ensuring noise-free operation of the device.

Preferably the casing tube and the swab carrier each comprisebiocompatible plastic material and the coupling portion comprisesbiocompatible plastic material or biocompatible metal so that the riskof adversely affecting the examination results by damage to the smear orthe transportation fluid by the material of the casing tube, swabcarrier or coupling portion is minimized. In a further preferred featurethe actuating grip is in the form of a plastic body produced by castingor injection blow molding. That permits particularly inexpensivemanufacture of the actuating grip in a single working operation. Thatapplies in particular also when the actuating grip is to be providedwith a motion screwth read.

The swab preferably comprises calcium alginate or a cotton-aluminummixture or is formed by a nylon brush as those materials ensure that itis particularly easy to take the smear and they do not involve anyfalsification, or they entail minimized falsification, of theexamination results by virtue of an interaction with the smear or thetransportation fluid.

It is also desirable if the outer actuating grip is “non-losably”latched on the inner grip element by virtue of an annular abutmentsurface being provided on the grip element which is connected to thesleeve, the annular abutment surface interacting with an annularabutment surface when the grip element comes free from the screwthread.That forms a blocking means to prevent the actuating grip from beingpulled off the grip portion in the situation where the latter iscompletely unscrewed from the screwthread.

If the swab carrier is to be removed by means of a pair of tweezers, thetweezers can be packaged with the device, in which case a receivingmeans for the tweezers in the form of a clamping holder is preferablyprovided on the casing tube or on the grip portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantageous developments of the invention are characterized inthe appendant claims or are set forth in greater detail hereinaftertogether with the description of the preferred embodiment of theinvention with reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in section through a preferred embodiment of the deviceaccording to the invention,

FIG. 1a shows a side view of an alternative embodiment of the swab inthe form of a brush, in the device illustrated in FIG. 1,

FIG. 2 is a view in section through the embodiment of FIG. 1 with thedetached distal carrier portion in a first condition,

FIG. 3 is a view in section through the embodiment of FIG. 1 with thedetached distal carrier portion in a second condition, and

FIG. 4 shows a detail section through another preferred embodiment ofthe device according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the device according to the inventioncomprising a swab carrier 1 which is arranged in a casing tube 2, and adisplacement device 3 arranged at the proximal end of the device. Theswab 4 is arranged at the distal end 1.1 of the swab carrier 1. Thedisplacement device includes an actuating grip or handle 3.1 fixedlyconnected to the distal end 1.2 of the swab carrier 1, and a gripelement 3.2 which is fixedly arranged on the casing tube 2.

Arranged at the proximal end 2.2 of the casing tube 2 is a firstscrewthread 5 in the form of a male screwthread on the grip element 3.2.The actuating grip 3.1 is in the manner of a screw cap and includes anadvance device 3.3 and a rotating device 3.4 which is arranged freelyrotatably relative to the advance device 3.3 about the longitudinal axis1.3. The actuating grip 3.1 has an orifice 6 which is coaxial with theswab carrier 1 and through which the swab carrier 1 extends. Arranged atthe inside periphery of the orifice 6, at the distal end of the advanceelement 3.3, is a second screwthread 7 which is in the form of a femalescrewthread and which co-operates with the first screwthread 5 and whichforms therewith a screw drive for producing an advance movement in thelongitudinal direction of the device of the invention. If consequentlythe advance element 3.3 of the actuating grip 3.1 is rotated relative tothe casing tube 2 about the longitudinal axis 1.3, the swab carrier 1which is fixedly connected to the rotating element 3.4 of the actuatinggrip 3.1 performs a longitudinal movement in the direction of thelongitudinal axis 3.1, relative to the casing tube 2, in the distal orproximal direction, depending on the respective direction of rotationinvolved. Depending on whether the rotating element 3.4 is or is notalso rotated in that case, the swab carrier 1, besides the longitudinalmovement, also performs a rotary movement about the longitudinal axis1.3.

The longitudinal movement of the swab carrier 1 relative to the casingtube 2 is limited by a proximal abutment device 8 and a distal abutmentdevice 9. In this case the proximal abutment device 8 includes a firstabutment surface 8.1 arranged on the casing tube 2 and a second abutmentsurface 8.2 arranged in distal relationship therewith on the actuatinggrip 3.1. The distal abutment device 9 has a third abutment surface 9.1arranged on the casing tube 2 and a fourth abutment surface 9.2 arrangedin proximal relationship therewith on the actuating grip 3.1.

The first abutment surface 8.1 is in the form of a flat, distally facingend surface of a component 8.3 formed on the casing tube 2. Thatcomponent 8.3 extends in the proximal direction from the proximal end2.2 of the casing tube 2 and is in the form of a barb-like element whichis narrow in the peripheral direction. In that case, the part of thecomponent 8.3, which extends parallel to the longitudinal axis 1.3, isof a resilient nature in the radial direction in order to permit easyassembly of the device.

The line normal to the first abutment surface 8.1 extends parallel tothe longitudinal axis 1.3 of the device. The second abutment surface 8.2is formed by the proximally facing distal end surface of an annulargroove arranged proximally of the second screwthread 7 in the actuatinggrip 3.1. In that case, the line normal to the second abutment surface8.2 also extends parallel to the longitudinal axis 1.3 of the device.The radial spacing of the centerpoint of the first abutment surface 8.1and the reference circle of the second abutment surface 8.2 and theradial extent of the two abutment surfaces 8.1 and 8.2 approximatelycorrespond to each other so that the first abutment surface 8.1 can bearcompletely against the second abutment surface 8.2 in order to impedefurther longitudinal movement of the swab carrier 1 relative to thecasing tube 2 in the proximal direction.

The third abutment surface 9.1 is formed on the casing tube 2 in theform of a flat, proximally facing surface of a step provided distally ofthe first screwthread 5 on the grip element 3.2. The line normal to thethird abutment surface 9.1 extends in this case parallel to thelongitudinal axis 1.3 of the device. The fourth abutment surface 9.2 isformed by the distal end surface of the actuating grip 3.1. The linenormal to the fourth abutment surface 9.2 extends in this arrangementalso parallel to the longitudinal axis 1.3 of the device of theinvention. The radial spacing of the reference circles and the radialextent of the two abutment surfaces 9.1 and 9.2 approximately correspondto each other so that the third abutment surface 9.1 can bear completelyagainst the fourth abutment surface 9.2 in order to impede furtherlongitudinal movement of the swab carrier 1 relative to the casing tube2 in the distal direction.

When the actuating grip 3.1 is screwed in the proximal directionrelative to the casing tube 2 to such an extent that the first abutmentsurface 8.1 bears against the second abutment surface 8.2, then the swabcarrier 1 is in its first longitudinal position—shown in dash-dottedline in FIG. 1—in which the swab 4 is disposed entirely in the interiorof the casing tube 2. In that position, the device is moved to the partof the body at which the smear is to be taken, possibly through thejacket tube of a trocar. The casing tube 2 in that case protects theswab 4 from contamination along the path of insertion thereof to thepart of the body to be investigated.

If the actuating grip 3.1 is screwed in the distal direction relative tothe casing tube 2 to such an extent that the third abutment surface 9.1bears against the fourth abutment surface 9.2, the swab carrier 1 is inits second longitudinal position—shown in solid lines in FIG. 1—in whichthe distal end 1.1 of the swab carrier 1 projects in the distaldirection out of the distal end 2.1 of casing tube 2. In this case, inthe illustrated embodiment, the swab 4 is disposed completely outsidethe casing tube 2. In that longitudinal position the swab 4 is broughtinto contact with the part of the body to be investigated, to receivethe smear. In that case, the operator rotates the rotating element 3.4through at least one revolution relative to the advance element 3.3 ofthe actuating grip 3.1 and therewith also the swab carrier 1 and theswab 4 relative to the casing tube 2 which is more or less held fast inthe jacket tube of the trocar. In that way the swab 4 is easily broughtinto contact over its entire periphery with the part of the body to beinvestigated, to pick up the sample. After the smear has been taken bythe swab 4 it is moved into its first longitudinal position again byrotation of the advance element 3.3 of the actuating grip 3.1 relativeto the casing tube 2, with the swab 4 in the first longitudinal positionthereof being protected by the casing tube 2 from contamination as it isbrought out of the body.

For the sake of comfortable and ergonomic handling of the device thegrip device 3.2 and the advance element 3.3 and the rotating element 3.4are each provided at their peripheral surface with a knurling or thelike to prevent the fingers from slipping off.

In the illustrated example the pitch of the first screwthread 5 and thesecond counterpart screwthread 7 which is in engagement therewith is soselected that the swab carrier 1 can be moved from its firstlongitudinal position into its second longitudinal position by a singlerevolution of the advance element 3.3 of the actuating grip 3.1 aboutthe longitudinal axis 1.3 relative to the grip device 3.2 and thusrelative to the casing tube 2. In order to prevent the advance element3.3 tilting relative to the grip device 3.2 when the screwthread pitchis so comparatively high and thus to ensure longitudinal displacement ofthe swab carrier 1 relative to the casing tube 2 as easily and astrouble-free as possible, the first screwthread 5 and the secondcounterpart screwthread 7 are of a multi-flight nature.

In the illustrated embodiment the swab carrier 1 comprises a distalcarrier portion 10 and a tubular proximal carrier portion 11, which arereleasably connected together by way of an elongate coupling portion 12.The coupling portion 12 is introduced into the interior of the proximalcarrier portion 11 and extends in the distal direction into a firstopening 13 in the distal carrier portion 10.

In this case the coupling portion 12 comprises a metal wire which iswound in a spiral configuration at the distal end of the couplingportion. In this case the distal part of the winding forms the distallocking part 14 of the coupling portion 12 while the proximal part ofthe winding forms the proximal locking part 15 of the coupling portion12. The distal locking part 14 is fitted in the first opening 13 of thedistal carrier portion 10, which is delimited by a cylindrical firstwall part 16. The proximal locking part 15 is fitted in the cavity inthe interior of the proximal carrier portion 11 which is delimited by asecond wall part 17 which is also cylindrical.

The wall of the coupling portion 12 which forms the locking parts 14 and15 is of a resilient nature transversely with respect to thelongitudinal direction of the coupling portion 12. In this case in therelaxed condition, that is to say the condition of not being introducedinto the carrier portions 10 and 11, the winding transversely withrespect to its longitudinal direction involves an oversize in relationto the first and second wall parts 16 and 17 respectively. Consequentlythe distal locking part 14 bears under a bias against the first wallpart 16 and the proximal locking part 15 bears under a bias against thesecond wall part 17.

The locking parts 14 and 15, by virtue of that biasing effect, cooperatewith the wall parts 16 and 17 respectively in the manner of a frictionallocking connection which is releasable in the axial direction of thecoupling portion 12. In this case the distal locking part 14 co-operatesinter alia lockingly in the distal direction with the first wall part 16of the distal carrier portion 10 and the proximal locking part 15co-operates lockingly in the proximal direction with a second wall part17 of the proximal carrier portion 11. In that way the two carrierportions 10 and 11 which bear against each other in the region of thejoin 18 are fixed relative to each in their longitudinal direction.

The force required to release the connection between the carrierportions 10 and 11 is substantially determined in accordance with thebiasing force with which the locking parts 14 and 15 bear against thewall parts 16 and 17 respectively. That biasing effect is in turndetermined in accordance with the amount by which the winding of thecoupling portion 12 is deformed in its inserted condition, in relationto its relieved condition, and accordingly therefore the oversize whichthe winding has in its relieved condition, in relation to the diameterof the wall parts 16 and 17.

The fact that the two wall parts 16 and 17 each extend as far as thejoin 18 and the two locking parts 14 and 15 directly adjoin each otherensures moreover that the two carrier portions 10 and 11 are fixedtransversely with respect to their longitudinal direction. The twocarrier portions 10 and 11 are thereby fixed in their aligned positionin a simple manner without further guide means or the like beingrequired for that purpose.

The coupling portion 12 projects in the proximal direction out of theproximal carrier portion 11 which is carried in the actuating grip 3.1.Arranged at that end is a grip device 19 at which the coupling portion12 can be gripped and, with a counterpart hold for example at theactuating grip 3.1, can be pulled in the proximal direction out of itsseat in the first opening 13 in the distal carrier portion 10. That thenreleases the connection between the two carrier portions 10 and 11.

The first and second wall parts 16 and 17 are each of the same diameter.As a result the pulling force required for pulling the distal lockingpart 14 out of its seat in the distal carrier portion remainssubstantially constant over the entire release procedure. Thatcontributes to a uniform jerk-free release movement, whereby it iseasier to hold the distal end of the device over a transportation vesselfor the swab carrying the smear.

It will be appreciated that the connection between the carrier portionsmay also be of a different form in other variants of the deviceaccording to the invention. Thus it is possible for example to providelocking parts which are separate from each other. They can also act indifferent ways. Thus, for example one or both locking parts may act inthe manner of a positively locking connection. The association wallparts then only have to have corresponding undercut configurations, inrelation to the direction of rotation, into which correspondinglyresilient projections of the respective locking part then releasablyengage.

Provided at the exit of the coupling portion 12 at the proximal end ofthe actuating grip 3.1 is a securing means 20 to prevent the distal endof the coupling portion 12 from being unintentionally pulled out of itsseat in the first opening 13. The securing means comprises an adhesivepoint 20 consisting of a hardening plastic material which is fixedlyjoined both to the material of the coupling portion 12 and also thematerial of the actuating grip 3.1. The securing means 20 is destroyedto pull the distal end of the coupling portion 12 out of the firstopening 13, for example by being released from the actuating grip 3.1 bya shearing movement transversely with respect to the longitudinal axisof the device. It can however also be destroyed and thus released byapplying a correspondingly high level of pulling force on the couplingportion.

It will be appreciated that in other embodiments of the invention thesecuring means can also take over the function of locking the couplingportion with respect to one of the carrier portions. Thus it is possiblefor example that the above-described adhesive point is arranged in thedistal end of the internal cavity of the proximal carrier portion andfixes the coupling portion there, without the provision of a furtherproximal locking part.

FIG. 1a is a side view of a brush 4′ which can be arranged alternativelyto use of the swab 4 at the distal end 1.1 of the swab carrier 1. In itsdistal end portion the brush 4′ has radially outwardly extendingbristles of nylon.

FIG. 2 shows the device of FIG. 1 in a condition in which the distallocking part 14 of the coupling portion 12 has been pulled in theproximal direction out of the seat in the first opening 13 of the distalcarrier portion 10 and is now arranged in the interior of the proximalcarrier portion 11.

In that condition the connection between the distal carrier portion 10and the proximal carrier portion 11 is released. In that condition thedistal carrier portion 10 carrying the swab 4 can be easily releasedfrom the casing tube 2. In the illustrated embodiment the insidediameter of the casing tube 2 for that purpose involves an oversize withrespect to the outside diameter of the swab carrier 1. When the casingtube 2 is suitably inclined with respect to the horizontal the distalcarrier portion 10 which has been separated off is released from thecasing tube 2.

It is sufficient here for example for the distal end of the device to bepositioned perpendicularly above the opening of the filledtransportation vessel and for the distal carrier portion 10 to beseparated off in the manner described above. The separated-off carrierportion 10 on which the swab 4 with the smear is disposed is thenreleased from the casing tube 2 as a result of the action of the forceof gravity and slides into the transportation fluid. In this casetherefore the separated-off swab 4 with the sample which is to be lateranalyzed passes into the transportation vessel, without coming intocontact with possible sources of contamination.

In the illustrated example the distal carrier portion 10 is separatedoff, with the swab carrier 1 in the second longitudinal position. Itwill be appreciated however that the distal carrier portion 10 can alsobe separated off in any other longitudinal position of the swab carrier1. In particular, that is also possible with the swab carrier 1 in thefirst longitudinal position in which the swab 4 is disposed entirely inthe casing tube 2 and is thus protected thereby from contamination.

As indicated in FIG. 3 the coupling portion 12 can in addition again bedisplaced in the distal direction and used to push the separated-offcarrier portion 10 out of the casing tube 2 in the event of tilting orsticking in the casing tube 2, or at least to assist in releasing itfrom the casing tube 2. In that respect the securing means 20 canadditionally also be released from the coupling portion 12 so that thecoupling portion 12 can be displaced as far as possible in the distaldirection.

In the illustrated example the distal carrier portion 10 is of a lengthof about 5 cm so that the device is suitable for use in conjunction withthe transportation containers which are usual at the present time.

In the illustrated example the swab carrier 1, the casing tube 2 and thedisplacement device 3 comprise biocompatible plastic materials and thecoupling portion comprises a biocompatible metal. The actuating grip 3.1and the grip element 3.2 involve injection moldings. The swab 4comprises calcium alginate wadding with which unfalsified investigationresults can be particularly well achieved.

FIG. 4 is a view in section through the proximal end of a furtherembodiment of the invention which substantially corresponds to theembodiment shown in FIG. 1 so that here only the differences in relationto the FIG. 1 structure will be discussed. The difference in relation tothe FIG. 1 embodiment is that the displacement device 3′ is made fromplastic parts carrying a screwthread. In this arrangement the actuatinggrip 3.1′ which is made in one piece and the grip element 3.2′ eachacquire their definitive shape for use thereof, in an injectionprocedure. In particular, the first screwthread 5′ and the thirdabutment surface 9.1′ as well as the second screwthread 7′ and thesecond and fourth abutment surfaces 8.2′ and 9.2′ directly acquire theirfinal shape in the respective working operation. That affords on the onehand particularly fast and simple manufacture of the device and alsoprovides a device which is particularly light and thus convenient andcomfortable to handle by virtue of the components being low in weight,with good stability.

It is also worth noting in relation to this embodiment that the outeractuating grip 3.1′ is “non-losably” latched on the inner grip element3.2′ because an annular abutment surface 9.1′ is provided on the gripelement 3.2′ which is connected to the sleeve. It interacts with anannular abutment surface 9.2′ when the grip element 3.2′ comes free fromthe screwthread. That forms a blocking means to prevent the actuatinggrip 3.1′ from being pulled off the grip element 3.2′ when the latter iscompletely unscrewed from the screwthread. The actuating grip can thenbe idly rotated and can only be pulled off with a gentle jerk, in whichcase the edge of the abutment surface 9.2′ has to overcome the furtherabutment surface 9.1′ which forms a threshold. That can be effected onlybe applying force, with elastic deformation of the two grip components.

The invention is not limited in respect of implementation thereof to thepreferred embodiments set forth by way of example hereinbefore. On thecontrary, a number of variants are possible, which make use of theillustrated structure, even in design configurations of a basicallydifferent nature.

Thus, in a variant of the invention—as shown in FIG. 2—the swab carrier13 can also be removed from the casing tube 2 by a pair of tweezers 21.The tweezers can be enclosed with the device, in which case, in anembodiment (not shown) a suitable receiving means for the tweezers 21 inthe form of a clamping holder is provided on the casing tube 2 or on thegrip element 3.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for taking a biological or cytologicalsmear from the human or animal body comprising a casing tube in whichthere is longitudinally movably arranged a swab carrier whose distal endis provided with a swab, and a displacement device which is arranged atthe proximal end of the device and which further comprises a gripelement arranged at the proximal end of the casing tube and an actuatinggrip connected to the proximal end of the swab carrier and by theactuation of which the swab carrier is movable relative to the casingtube at least between a first longitudinal position in which the swab isdisposed entirely in the interior of the casing tube and a secondlongitudinal position in which the swab projects at least in part out ofthe distal end of the casing tube to receive the smear, wherein the swabcarrier comprises at least distal and proximal carrier portions, whichare releasably connected together by way of a coupling portioncharacterized in that the coupling portion (12) is introduced into theproximal carrier portion which is of a tubular configuration, wherein itextends in the proximal direction through the actuating grip and in thedistal direction into a first axial opening at the proximal end of thedistal carrier portion, and wherein the coupling portion locks thecarrier portions relative to each other in their longitudinal directionby a positively locking, frictional locking and/or adhesive connectionto the distal carrier portion and to the proximal carrier portion and/orthe actuating grip in such a way that the connection thereof isreleasable by pulling the distal end of the coupling portion in theproximal direction out of the first axial opening.
 2. The device as setforth in claim 1 wherein the coupling portion has at least one distallocking part and at least one proximal locking part, wherein the distallocking part co-operates lockingly in the distal direction andreleasably with a first wall part of the distal carrier portion and theproximal locking part co-operates lockingly in the proximal directionand releasably with a second wall part of the proximal carrier portionor the actuating grip.
 3. The device as set forth in claim 2 wherein theconnection between the distal locking part and the distal carrierportion or the connection between the proximal locking part and theproximal carrier portion or the actuating grip in the manner of africtional locking connection which is releasable in the axial directionof the coupling portion.
 4. The device as set forth in claim 3 whereinthe distal and proximal locking parts each have at least in portion-wisemanner transversely with respect to its longitudinal direction anoversize relative to the first or second wall part respectively, toproduce the releasable frictional locking connection.
 5. The device asset forth in claim 2, wherein at least one of the distal or proximallocking parts respectively is resilient transversely with respect to itslongitudinal direction and bears under a biasing effect against therespective wall part.
 6. The device as set forth in claim 5 wherein atleast one of the first or second wall parts respectively is of asubstantially cylindrical configuration and the respective locking partis formed by a spiral-shaped part.
 7. The device as set forth in claim 6wherein the proximal carrier portion is of inside dimensions whichsubstantially correspond to the inside dimensions of the first axialopening at the distal end of the carrier portion to receive the distalend of the coupling portion which is pulled out the first axial opening.8. The device of claim 7 wherein at its proximal end the couplingportion has a grip device for pulling its distal end in the proximaldirection out of the first axial opening.
 9. The device of claim 8wherein at least one means for securing is provided to prevent thedistal end of the coupling portion from being unintentionally pulled outof the first axial opening.
 10. The device as set forth in claim 9wherein the securing means is destroyed when the distal end of thecoupling portion is pulled out of the first axial opening.
 11. Thedevice of claim 10 wherein the securing means forms the locking meansfor locking the coupling portion in the distal carrier portion or in theproximal carrier portion or the actuating grip respectively.
 12. Thedevice of claim 11 wherein the coupling portion and the proximal anddistal carrier portions are configured so that the carrier portions arefixed by the coupling portion transversely with respect to theirlongitudinal direction in a position of being substantially aligned intheir longitudinal direction.
 13. The device of claim 12 wherein theinside dimensions of the casing tube and the outside dimensions of theswab carrier or the swab have a difference between them such that thedistal carrier portion, after release of the connection to the proximalcarrier portion, is released from the casing tube by virtue of theaction of the force of gravity when the casing tube is suitably inclinedrelative to the horizontal and/or by the action of weak inertia forces.14. The device as set forth in claim 13 wherein the inside dimensions ofthe casing tube in the distal end region adjoining the distal carrierportion have a slight oversize relative to the outside dimensions of thedistal carrier portion or the swab respectively.
 15. The device of claim14 wherein the length of the distal carrier portion is at least 1 cm andless than 10 cm.
 16. The device of claim 15 wherein the swab carrier,the casing tube and the displacement device are such that the swabcarrier is rotatable about the longitudinal axis at least in its secondlongitudinal position relative to the casing tube.
 17. The device as setforth in claim 16 wherein the actuating grip further comprises anadvance device and a rotating device which is fixedly connected to theproximal end of the swab carrier, and at least one of the rotatingdevice or the swab carrier is arranged on the advance device rotatablyabout the longitudinal axis relative to the advance device.
 18. Thedevice of claim 17 wherein at least one of the swab carrier, or thecasing tube or the displacement device is such that the longitudinalmobility of the swab carrier relative to the casing tube is limited to alongitudinal movement between its first and second longitudinalpositions by a proximal abutment device and a distal abutment device.19. The device of claim 18 wherein the displacement device is designedin the manner of a screw drive which produces an advance movement in thelongitudinal direction of the device.
 20. The device as set forth inclaim 19 wherein the casing tube and the swab carrier are rotatablerelative to each about the longitudinal axis and the displacement deviceincludes a first screwthread which is arranged on the casing tube andwhich to produce a longitudinal movement of the swab carrier relative tothe casing tube upon rotation of the actuating grip relative to thecasing tube about the longitudinal axis is in engagement with a secondcounterpart screwthread provided on the swab carrier or on the actuatinggrip.
 21. The device as set forth in claim 20 wherein the firstscrewthread is arranged at the outside periphery of the proximal end ofthe casing tube and the actuating grip is designed in the manner of ascrew cap, wherein the swab carrier is passed through an orifice coaxialtherewith at the distal end of the actuating grip and the secondcounterpart screwthread is arranged at the distal end of the actuatinggrip (3.1; 3.1′) at the inside periphery of the orifice.
 22. The deviceas set forth in claim 20 wherein each of the first and secondscrewthreads has a pitch so is that the movement of the swab carrierbetween its first longitudinal position and its second longitudinalposition is produced by substantially one revolution of the actuatinggrip relative to the casing tube.
 23. The device of claim 22 wherein thefirst screwthread and the second counterpart screwthread are of amulti-flight nature.
 24. The device of claim 23 wherein the casing tubeand the swab carrier respectively comprise biocompatible plasticmaterial and the coupling portion comprises biocompatible plasticmaterial or metal.
 25. The device of claim 24 wherein at least one ofthe actuating grip or the grip element have a plastic material bodyproduced by means of an injection molding or blow molding process. 26.The device of claim 25 wherein the actuating grip is latched on theinner grip element through an annular abutment surface on the gripelement connected to the sleeve, which abutment surface interacts withan annular abutment surface when the grip element comes free from thescrewthread.
 27. The device of claim 26 wherein the swab comprisescalcium alginate.
 28. The device of claim 27 wherein a pair of tweezersis provided to remove the swab carrier.
 29. The device of claim 26wherein the swab comprises a cotton-aluminum mixture.
 30. The device ofclaim 26 wherein the swab is formed by a nylon brush.
 31. The device ofclaim 28 wherein the pair of tweezers is releasably connectable to thedevice for storage purposes.
 32. A device for taking a biological orcytological smear from the human or animal body comprising: a casingtube in which there is longitudinally movably arranged a swab carrierwhose distal end is provided with a swab, and a displacement device atthe proximal end of the device and which includes a grip element at theproximal end of the casing tube and an actuating grip connected to theproximal end of the swab carrier, the actuation of the actuating gripmoving the swab carrier relative to the casing tube at least from afirst longitudinal position in which the swab is disposed entirely inthe interior of the casing tube into a second longitudinal position inwhich the swab projects at least in part out of the casing tube distalend to receive the smear, or vice-versa; the swab carrier comprising atleast a distal carrier portion and a proximal carrier portion, which arereleasably connected together by way of a coupling portion such that thecoupling portion is introduced into the proximal carrier portion whichis of a tubular configuration, wherein it extends in the proximaldirection through the actuating grip and in the distal direction into afirst axial opening at the proximal end of the distal carrier portion,and wherein the coupling portion locks the respective carrier portionsrelative to each other in their longitudinal direction by a positivelylocking, frictional locking and/or adhesive connection to the distalcarrier portion and to the proximal carrier portion and/or the actuatinggrip so that the connection thereof is releasable by pulling the distalend of the coupling portion in the proximal direction out of the firstaxial opening; the coupling portion further comprising at least onedistal locking part and at least one proximal locking part, wherein thedistal locking part co-operates lockingly in the distal direction andreleasably with a first wall part of the distal carrier portion and theproximal locking part co-operates lockingly in the proximal directionand releasably with a second wall part of the proximal carrier portionor the actuating grip; the connection between the distal locking partand the distal carrier portion or the connection between the proximallocking part and the proximal carrier portion or the actuating gripbeing a frictional locking connection which is releasable in the axialdirection of the coupling portion; the distal and proximal locking partseach having at least in portion-wise manner transversely with respect toits longitudinal direction an oversize relative to the first or secondwall part respectively, to produce the releasable frictional lockingconnection; at least one of the distal and proximal locking parts beingresilient transversely with respect to its longitudinal direction andbearing under a biasing effect against the respective wall part; atleast one of the first and second wall parts being of a cylindricalconfiguration and the respective locking part being formed by aspiral-shaped part; the proximal carrier portion being of insidedimensions which correspond to the inside dimensions of the first axialopening at the carrier portion distal end to receive the couplingportion distal end which is pulled out the first axial opening; thecoupling portion having a grip device at its proximal end for pullingits distal end in the proximal direction out of the first axial opening;at least one means for securing being provided to prevent the couplingportion distal end from being unintentionally pulled out of the firstaxial opening; the at least one securing means being destroyed when thecoupling portion distal end is pulled out of the first axial opening;the at least one securing means forming the locking means for lockingthe coupling portion in the distal carrier portion or in the proximalcarrier portion or the actuating grip; the coupling portion and theproximal and distal carrier portions being configured so that therespective carrier portions are transversely fixed by the couplingportion with respect to their longitudinal direction in a position ofbeing substantially aligned in their longitudinal direction; the casingtube inside dimensions and the outside dimensions of the swab carrier orthe swab having a difference between them such that the distal carrierportion, after release of the connection to the proximal carrierportion, is released from the casing tube by virtue of the action of theforce of gravity when the casing tube is suitably inclined relative tothe horizontal and/or by the action of weak inertia forces; the casingtube inside dimensions in the distal end region adjoining the distalcarrier portion having a slight oversize relative to the outsidedimensions of the distal carrier portion or the swab, respectively; thelength of the distal carrier portion being at least 1 cm and less than10 cm; the swab carrier, the casing tube and the displacement devicebeing such that the swab carrier is rotatable about the longitudinalaxis at least in its second longitudinal position relative to the casingtube; the actuating grip further comprising an advance device and arotating device which is fixedly connected to the swab carrier proximalend, and at least one of the rotating device and the swab carrier beingarranged on the advance device rotatably about the longitudinal axisrelative to the advance device; at least one of the swab carrier, thecasing tube and the displacement device being such that the swab carrieris limited relative to the casing tube to a longitudinal movementbetween its first and second longitudinal positions by a proximalabutment device and a distal abutment device; the displacement devicebeing a screw drive which produces an advance movement in thelongitudinal direction of the device; the casing tube and the swabcarrier being rotatable relative to each about the longitudinal axis,with the displacement device comprising a first screwthread on thecasing tube to produce a longitudinal movement of the swab carrierrelative to the casing tube upon rotation of the actuating grip relativeto the casing tube about the longitudinal axis, the first screwthreadbeing in engagement with a second counterpart screwthread provided onthe swab carrier or on the actuating grip; the first screwthread beingat the outside periphery of the proximal end of the casing tube with theactuating grip being a screw cap, wherein the swab carrier is passedthrough an orifice coaxial therewith at the actuating grip distal endand the second counterpart screwthread being at the actuating gripdistal end at the inside periphery of the orifice; each of the first andsecond screwthreads having a pitch selected such that the movement ofthe swab carrier between the first and second longitudinal positions isproduced by substantially one revolution of the actuating grip relativeto the casing tube; each of the first and second screwthreads being of amulti-flight nature; the casing tube and the swab carrier respectivelycomprising biocompatible plastic material; the coupling portioncomprising biocompatible plastic material or metal; at least one of theactuating grip and the grip element having a plastic material bodyproduced by an injection molding or blow molding process; the actuatinggrip being latched on the inner grip element through an annular abutmentsurface on the grip element connected to the sleeve, which abutmentsurface interacts with an annular abutment surface when the grip elementcomes free from the screwthread; and the swab comprising calciumalginate.